Joe Namath: Mark Sanchez will be better for N.Y. Jets

"I know that Sanchez is going to play better," Namath told the New York Post on Tuesday night at a charity event. "He went through some major distractions last year. No matter how much you say, 'It doesn't bother me, that's not a focus-breaker,' bull. I promise you you'll see a different guy this year."

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Those "distractions" presumably reference Tim Tebow. This year's distraction might be rookie quarterback Geno Smith, who might put Sanchez out of his presumed misery in New York.

Namath's faith in Sanchez led to his assessment of the Jets' second-round selection of Smith as superfluous.

"No, I don't think they needed a quarterback," Namath said, via the New York Daily News. "They needed the other positions filled. Possibly offensive line. They got some defensive line. The safeties are still questionable. The outside linebackers are still questionable."

Namath believes we'll see a rejuvenated Sanchize, even if he's inevitably clipped by the Jets.

"Mark's not a puppy anymore," Namath said. "What he went through last year I think will only make him stronger. As far as Sanchez goes, even if he's not with the Jets, he's going to play as long as he wants to. He's that good. He'll get another job. As long as he stays healthy, he's going to stay in the NFL."